Jhansi and Sesame street


Recently I had the opportunity to visit the quaint historic city of Jhansi. Jhansi is famous for the brave queen Rani Laxmi Bai. From the first time when I read about her in the history books to last year when I saw the movie Manikarnika,I have always felt like I have to visit Jhansi at least once in my lifetime.
God gave me the chance pretty soon enough. And I found myself looking up at the majestic and beatific gates of the Jhansi Fort or the Jhansi ka Quila.

Entrance to Jhansi Fort
Entrance to Jhansi Fort

Jhansi Fort

The Jhansi fort is very unlike the other famous forts of Rajasthan which are resplendent in their glamour and splendour. This Fort is much smaller, quainter and had quiet a different charm of its own.

The fort had a perfectly manicured gardens and beautiful bougainvillea shrubs. The pretty flowers instantly called out to the flower lover in me. Also I was missing my plant babies, all alone back home. So the greenery gave me some solace at least.

Beautifully maintained gardens

It took us around only an hour to roam around and see the entire fort.

Well manicured lawns

After roaming around the fort we got a bit hungry and decided to check out a local gajak store in Jhansi city. North India is famous for gajak in the winters.

Sesame street

Gajak is a dry winter sweet full of sesame seeds, dry fruits and jaggery. In last September I had visited a field area close ro Jhansi. During that visit I saw many fields full of sesame crops. It was then when I saw for the first time how sesame seeds look like in their pods. https://thefoodlives.com/when-it-rains/

So this time I was pretty sure that those sesame seeds will turn to delicious gajaks this time.

sesame seeds in a pod
sesame seeds in a pod

I lived in Jaipur, Rajasthan for 6 years of my life but never really grew a liking for gajak there. But the gajak this time was different and I really liked it. Maybe its because I saw the “ til” grow in front of my own eyes I guess!

We were spoilt for choice at the gajak shop. Such a wide variety of gajak! I personally tasted and chose to buy three types. One with whole sesame seeds, one with crushed seeds and one which was a bit rich due to added ghee and dry fruits. My favourite one is the one with the finely crushed white sesame seeds.

Different types of til gajak

A visit to Jhansi is a must for all fans of the brave queen Rani Laxmi Bai a.k. a Jhansi ki Rani.

You can stay at a perfect hotel very near the station, details about which I will give in an upcoming post.

Jhansi Railway Station

Also dont forget to visit one of the many gajak stores in the city if you happen to visit in winter.

20 Comments

  1. Jhansi looks really inviting and your description makes me want to visit the place. The gardens look so beautiful. Would like to taste “gajak”s someday.

  2. Jhansi looks soo beautiful in pics.. I always wanted to visit this historic city and your post tempted me more.. It was sooo amazing to see the sesame pods. Great post… loved it

  3. I would love to visit this place coz I love admiring history (not the subject in school). And I have seen sesame seeds in a pod for the first time.

  4. I crossed jhansi station many times but never got a chance to visit this historic beauty. After reading this post I am very curious to see this fort and to elaborate more about Rani Laxmi bai to my kids.

  5. Rani Laxmi Bai always inspire me as a women. And I truly wanted to visit this place which is famous as jhansi ki rani. From your review now the craving is more to visit here soon.

  6. What a wonderful post. I have never visited Jhansi but your post and the pictures are really beautiful. I didn’t know that there is so much history to this place. Would love to visit it

  7. Trust a foodie to link up a travel destination with food! Loved the post and have placed this place on my bucket list. Will visit it one day soon and tell you how it went! Already dreaming of Gajaks!!

  8. I had visited so many places in UP but never get a chance to visit Jhansi. after reading your post, I am feeling like to visit this place soon with my family.

  9. the sesame pod was a news to me.. something new. The jhansi ki gajak is famous indeed and i loved the khasta gajak there. Loved reading ur post

  10. Jhansi ki Rani one of the most brave inspiring lady of our history, Thanks for sharing such an insightful post regarding Jhansi fort , it pushing me to secure a slot for a visit to Jhansi, I love Gajaks, this is also will be one of the major reason of my visit.

  11. Never had the chance to visit Jhansi though I was born and brought up in Uttar Pradesh. Your description of Gajak made me drool. I love Sesame seeds. We have the tradition to use the black sesame seeds while making fritters on auspicious occasions. Nice

  12. This post has tempted me to visit the place really soon. And that pic of sesame is quite interesting to watch.

  13. The lawns are so well manicured. I had honestly never thought of visiting Jhansi but your post has made me add it to my list. I anyways love gajak so this will happen soon. Thank you for this post.

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